Problem
Many families in our community struggle to access Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnostic assessments and the support they need. The demand for ASD diagnostic assessments is much higher than the available services, leaving families with limited options. ASD diagnosis enables families to begin their treatment journey, allowing them to register with the Ontario Autism Program to access funded services and to apply for direct funding in order to purchase treatment. Currently, there are very few fee-for-service options in the community, making it even harder for families to access timely ASD diagnostic assessments and to receive integrated psychological support.
Solution
To address this gap, we partnered with clinical psychologists, including Dr. Mahsa Sadeghi and Dr. Marjory Phillips, to develop a fee–for–service program offering child ASD diagnostic assessments and family support. This initiative not only helps children receive a diagnosis but also provides integrated counselling to support families throughout their autism journey. By exploring a more comprehensive approach, we are also learning how to strengthen collaboration with mental health providers to make sure families receive the care they need.
Benefits
In just one month, our pilot program confirmed a strong demand for fee-for-service ASD diagnostic assessments and family support, helping many children receive timely diagnoses. Families have shared overwhelmingly positive feedback, with one parent expressing: “Wow, this is excellent news for KidsAbility!”.
Building on this success, we aim to expand ASD diagnostic assessment services and improve access to family support. Our goal is to integrate family therapy into autism support services, ensuring that every family has access to the psychological support they need throughout their journey. By increasing service capacity and strengthening collaboration with psychologists and mental health providers, we are making a lasting impact—one family at a time.
